The alphabet garden

Roy Diblik of Northwind Perennial Farm in Wisconsin often talks about plants in terms of the alphabet. Though we have only 26 letters in our alphabet, he notes that we come up with an endless variety of words and ways to use them.

Thus 26 different plants would give you more than enough garden options for a lifetime. Since I keep a record of all of my plants on individual index cards, Diblik's concept sent me looking at my alphabetically-arranged list of perennials. Here's what I discovered:

• There are no plants under "F." Instead I use "F" for my many, many ferns. 
• I have a mere 3 plants whose name begins with "K" and only 2 under "M."
• I have no perennials whose names begin with "N" or "O" or "W, X, Y or Z."

As for the other letters of the alphabet, some have a number of different plants listed. Others are almost exclusively one group as the following letters show:

B is for Brunnera

E is for Epimediums

F is for ferns

G is for Geranium

H is for Hellebores and Hostas

I is for Iris

P is for Primulas and Peonies

T is for Tricyrtis and Trilliums

What this little exercise did was to let me quickly see what plants I favor over others. I was not at all surprised as I know these are my favorites. It does suggest, however, that I should use this list as a quick way to see if I have enough variety in terms of size, texture, season, color and all the characteristics that make for effective plant groupings. An easy task for a winter day that will help me when I hit local nurseries come spring.

Comments

[Ginny]

What an interesting idea, a good winter project for sure. Love the charming patch of dainty crested irises.

[Linda Brazill]

GINNY — ​I love those crested Irises as well. Such a trouble-free plant. It increases nicely and is easy to pull out if it starts to travel where you don't want it.

[Ginny]

I have a hard time with it. It never makes a patch. It's in mostly sun, clay soil, and I don't think it likes the Maryland summer heat/humidity. I guess I really do need to move it to a more amenable spot... It's small, waning, and easy to forget! Any words of wisdom?

[danger garden]

Naturally your post sent me looking at my plant list page on the blog. I have a couple "F" plants (plus I group my ferns that way too), and in fact the only letters I am missing are W and Z, since the Weigela, Zamia and Zingiber all kicked the bucket. What an interesting way to think about our plants!

[Linda Brazill]

LOREE — It is a surprise to realize there are certain letters where we have no plants. Who knew?

[Kris P]

A new word game! Like Loree, I went to my plant list, which was something of a cumbersome exercise as that list is organized by area and includes a large number of plants I've lost (albeit most are marked as such). I couldn't find anything under "Q" at all and the only plants under "U" were deceased (Uncinia and Ursinia). The only plant I have under "X" is Xerochrysum (straw flower), although it's an annual. Adding common names might complicate things further. And let's not even speak of all the reclassifications we've yet to heat about...

[Linda Brazill]

GINNY — Wish I could give you a specific bit of info that would solve the problem for you. I think you are correct about heat and humidity as issues. Last summer we were much hotter than normal which my garden did not like. My Irises are on a fairly shady slope. Gets morning sun but most afternoon sun is quite filtered. The soil is not particularly moist but it is reasonably good compared to the clay I have elsewhere.

[Linda Brazill]

KRIS P. – Definitely let's not talk about new plant names. I am not even trying anymore to keep up with them. And none of them are easier to remember or shorter!

[Ginny]

Thanks for your thoughts, Linda. As soon as the straggling remainders show up, I'm going whisk them to a new shadier spot. Fingers crossed!

[Frank]

Oh my gosh be careful, I can sense the fever building and unless you see some green sprouts soon I fear the damage this will do to your bank account.
Breathe!